How would the the united states be different without the construction of the panama canal?

Question

would usa be the super power today if the panama canal was not built? how did the canal allow usa to become the super power it is today?

Answer 1

Hi David, since you have no answer yet I'll give you mine. From my point of view the construction of the Panama Canal made things easier for USA in the following aspects:

1. In war times its naval ships move easily from East to West and viceversa so they could respond to the "need" of the USA presence in any country faster than in any other route.

2. Moving ships quickly meant moving people, arms and supplies easily too.

3. In those days (not 100% if now too because there is a neutrality clause in the 1977 treaty) and because the control USA had over the Canal they could stop other ships from going trough and give priority to their own so giving them an advantage in planning their moves, something other countries could not count on.

4. In modern days specially but the same since the Canal construction, USA has use it to move commerce from its East and West coast. They can supply oil from Alaska to the East Coast in a cheaper way and is the same for other comodities depending where it is manufactured.

5. One more that comes to my mind is the fact that until 12/31/1999 USA had a military prescence in the region, it was used to set the tone (good or bad) for the goverments of those days when the comunism was the ghost to fight.

Hope my ideas help to clear yours!!